Ambassador Nicole Theriot announced the launch of the USAID Regional Agricultural Program, known as the Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA), during an event held on January 24, 2024. The program aims to tackle food insecurity in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean regions.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including Honorable Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture; Joseph Cox, CARICOM Assistant Secretary General; and Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana. Minister Saboto Caesar from St. Vincent and the Grenadines participated virtually.
Theriot expressed gratitude to Minister Mustapha and the Government of Guyana for their collaboration on this regional initiative. She also thanked Vice Chancellor Mohamed Martin for hosting the event at the University of Guyana.
"The CAPA program is an important milestone in U.S.-Guyana and U.S.-Caribbean relations as we roll out this key initiative to address food insecurity regionally," said Theriot.
The CAPA initiative is part of a broader effort under PACC 2030, launched by U.S. Vice President Harris in collaboration with CARICOM during the Summit of the Americas in June 2022. This partnership focuses on addressing climate change, energy needs, food security, and capacity challenges faced by Caribbean nations.
CAPA is a multi-year project with a budget of $5.3 million aimed at mitigating poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition exacerbated by various global challenges such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and rampant inflation.
Theriot highlighted that CAPA will promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve farmer knowledge through enhanced extension capacity. It will also formalize smallholder market access by building capacities among medium, small, and micro enterprises while improving access to locally-produced food in alignment with CARICOM’s 25 by 25 project.
Additionally, two feasibility studies have been validated with USAID support: one focused on developing a transport and logistics model for moving food around the region; another concentrated on creating a viable crop insurance model.
"I’m very pleased that IESC has based its main hub of operations here in Guyana," stated Theriot regarding Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC), which will be implementing CAPA throughout the region.
Theriot emphasized that partnerships are crucial for CAPA’s success: "Critical to CAPA’s success will be working together with the CARICOM Secretariat and our bilateral and multilateral partners."
In closing remarks, she reaffirmed U.S. commitment: "The United States is a steadfast partner to CARICOM and Caribbean nations as they confront this serious crisis."